Dog Warts
Dog Warts (Canine Papilloma Virus) are small round skin tumors caused by certain viruses. There are many types of small round skin growths and it is important these are examined as some growths may not be innocuous viral warts. Most growths must be removed and biopsied before they are identified, though in some cases the viral papilloma has an obvious appearance and is identified visually. Dogs can get viral warts, but not from the same viruses that cause human warts. Dogs do not get warts from people, and people cannot get warts from dogs. In dogs, we do not call these “warts;” we use the more formal term “viral papilloma.” These are benign skin tumors caused by the canine oral papillomavirus.
• Symptoms
o Viral papillomas are round but often have a rough, almost jagged surface reminiscent of a sea anemone or a cauliflower.
o Occurs usually on the lips and muzzle of young dogs (usually less than 2 years of age).
o Less commonly, papillomas can occur on the eyelids and even the surface of the eye or between the toes.
o Usually occurs in groups rather than as solitary growths.
• Transmitted
o The infection is transmitted via contact with the papillomas on an infected dog.
o The incubation period is 1-2 months.
o This virus is only spread among dogs.
o It is not contagious to other pets or humans.
o To become infected, the dog generally needs an immature immune system, thus this infection is primarily one of young dogs and puppies.
• Once contracted
o These papillomas are not really dangerous and go away on their own as the dog’s immune system matures and generates a response against the papilloma virus.
o There have been two cases published where viral papillomas progressed to malignancy but this is extremely rare and by no means the usual course of the infection.
o Typically, it takes 1-5 months for papillomas to regress with oral growths tending to regress sooner than ocular growths.
o Occasionally, some papillomas will stay permanently.
o Sometimes, oral papillomas can become infected with bacteria of the mouth. Antibiotics are needed in such cases to control the pain, swelling, and bad breath.
• Treatment
o In most cases, treatment is unnecessary; the papillomas simply go away on their own.
o Some dogs have a huge number of tumors; so many that consuming foods is a problem.
o Tumors can be surgically removed or frozen off cryogenically.
o Sometimes crushing several growths seems to stimulate the host’s immune system to assist in the tumor regression process.
o In humans, anti-viral doses of interferon have been used to treat severe cases of warts and this treatment is also available for severely infected dogs.
o Sometimes some of the warts can be removed and made into a “vaccine” which is felt to stimulate the immune system in removing the tumors, though such vaccines do not seem to be as effective as one might want.
o A veterinarian should perform all such treatments; do not attempt freezing, cutting or crushing of growths on your own.